Issue - meetings
Housing Assistance Policy Review
Meeting: 20/01/2021 - Cabinet (Item 180)
180 Housing Assistance Policy Review 
PDF 225 KB
Report of the Director of Communities attached.
Additional documents:
- Appendix A Green Homes Grant Scheme, item 180
PDF 116 KB
- Appendix B Summary Stock Condition Survey, item 180
PDF 432 KB
- Appendix B Stock Condition Survey Summary and glossary, item 180
PDF 228 KB
View as DOCX (180/4) 14 KB
- Appendix C 2021 Housing Assistance Policy, item 180
PDF 201 KB
View as DOCX (180/5) 40 KB
Decision:
Resolved (unanimously):- That the amendments proposed in the report to the existing Housing Assistance policy be approved.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure presented a report of the Director of Communities which proposed amendments to the existing Assistance policy to reflect the findings of the 2019 Stock Condition survey.
The report explained the key findings of the survey after comparison with the previous stock condition survey which was carried out in 2012. The report sought approval of the amendments to the existing policy to ensure it addressed issues raised in the 2019 Stock Condition survey.
Arising from discussions on the report a comment was made regarding the Trustmark Scheme. The Director of Communities indicated that the Scheme was not being used in this instance, however the Council does encourage local traders to register.
Councillor Ogilvie enquired as to the percentage of properties in the Borough that were surveyed. The Director of Communities agreed to provide this information outside of the meeting.
Decision made (unanimously):-
That the amendments proposed in the report to the existing Housing Assistance policy be approved.
Reasons for decision
The current assistance policy does not provide any help for elderly residents who have a CAT1 Hazard but are not in receipt of a qualifying benefit. This along with affordability issues means residents who need the help cannot qualify for it. This has resulted in occupiers being left in the property with a hazard until such time as they are able to afford the work, or the council has to seek assistance from external funders which takes time and may not cover all the costs.
The Government’s new Green Homes Grants scheme may not fully fund measures required which would mean that although qualifying an individual may not be able to have the work carried out. The scheme is split into 2 types of measures, primary and secondary, either measures do not include for boiler replacements only heating controls.
Alternative options considered and rejected
The Option of not doing anything and continuing with the existing policy has been considered and dismissed as the existing policy is out of date in the context of the new government schemes and does not meet the needs of the residents.
The new Green Homes Grants scheme launched by the government has been considered, however this will not address the CAT1 hazards under the Health and Housing Safety Rating guidance and therefore has been rejected.